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Forum Discussion

mgeorgy's avatar
mgeorgy
Tutor
Dec 15, 2017

Orbi Ethernet Backhaul causing broadcast storm

I have just upgraded my Orbi router and satellites to V2.1.1.12 hoping to take advantage of the recent Ethernet backhaul feature.  I use the Orbi router as my main router with a 24 port switch servic...
Troubleshooting
BDubUT's avatar
BDubUT
Aspirant
Jun 05, 2018

Thanks for posting those links. This one is the most helpful:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/V2-1-3-4-Bridging/m-p/1572173#M31735

 

As theorized, wireless and wired backhaul create a loop and flood the network with broadcast traffic. It's interesting that stp is disabled by default on the orbi router when this is the exact scenario where stp is needed. packetwerks is right when they say that this is something Netgear needs to fix. Any adjustments made on a switch (managed or not) are simply stop gaps. Hopefully the people who can fix it actually pay attention to the forums.

 

 

FURRYe38's avatar
FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Jun 05, 2018

Yes I've sent this in for review and tagged some mod's on this. 

 

Ya so for now, try the work around on your managed switch or put a non managed switch in place. Hopefully NG will figure this one out. Been a bug for a while now. 

 

DarrenM

BretD

AmitR

BDubUT wrote:

Thanks for posting those links. This one is the most helpful:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/V2-1-3-4-Bridging/m-p/1572173#M31735

 

As theorized, wireless and wired backhaul create a loop and flood the network with broadcast traffic. It's interesting that stp is disabled by default on the orbi router when this is the exact scenario where stp is needed. packetwerks is right when they say that this is something Netgear needs to fix. Any adjustments made on a switch (managed or not) are simply stop gaps. Hopefully the people who can fix it actually pay attention to the forums.

 

 

 

  • BDubUT's avatar
    BDubUT
    Aspirant
    Jun 06, 2018

    I can confirm the latest firmware, 2.1.4.16, enables spanning-tree (stp) on the Orbi router. This prevents loops, and therefore broadcast storms, from occuring. Wired backhaul is now stable for me, managed switch and all, even through multiple reboots.

     

    Now if only Netgear could make it so the magenta LED doesn't glow in AP mode (since you're using the LAN port)...

     

    Perhaps I'll keep my RBK23 afterall. Thanks FURRYe38.

    • st_shaw's avatar
      st_shaw
      Master
      Jun 06, 2018
      BDubUT wrote:

       

      Now if only Netgear could make it so the magenta LED doesn't glow in AP mode (since you're using the LAN port)...

       

      I'm using the WAN port in AP mode and it works great and no magenta LED, but no wired backhaul here.  Why can't you use the WAN port?  Is it because of wired backhaul? Did you try the WAN port with the 2.1.4.16 firmware?

       

      • BDubUT's avatar
        BDubUT
        Aspirant
        Jun 06, 2018

        Everytime I've tried using the WAN port with wired backhaul, it hasn't worked; 2.1.4.16 included.

         

        I opened a support case with Netgear and they seemed to indicate that it should and gave me instructions to factory reset and rebuild in AP mode, however that didn't prove successful.

         

        Also, I spoke too soon on the ethernet backhaul. I should point out on caveat. My old Orbi system consists of an RBR50 and 2x RBW30's. My whole purpose in using wired backhaul and buying a RBK23 is that I recently finished terminating all my low voltage and wanted to make use of it. After finishing my testing, I moved my RBS20's to their final location, my RBW30's still plugged in. When one of the RBS20's came up, instead of connecting to the RBR50, it connected to a RBW30's. Since the satellites don't seem to run spanning-tree, it created a loop. I quickly realized what was happening and disconnected my RBW30's, which solved the problem.

         

        I'm going to try disabling daisy-chaining, which should resolve this issue. If you're running wired backhaul, there shouldn't be a reason for it in the first place.

    • FURRYe38's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru - Experienced User
      Jun 06, 2018

      BDubUT

      Awesome, thanks for letting use know about the new FW and STP. Sounds like they finally fixed it and with managed switches. Will keep this on hand for future users.

       

      Enjoy now. Hopefully. LOL.

      BDubUT wrote:

      I can confirm the latest firmware, 2.1.4.16, enables spanning-tree (stp) on the Orbi router. This prevents loops, and therefore broadcast storms, from occuring. Wired backhaul is now stable for me, managed switch and all, even through multiple reboots.

       

      Now if only Netgear could make it so the magenta LED doesn't glow in AP mode (since you're using the LAN port)...

       

      Perhaps I'll keep my RBK23 afterall. Thanks FURRYe38.

       

      • RebelPeacock's avatar
        RebelPeacock
        Star
        Jul 17, 2018

        Just upgraded to Firmware 2.1.4.16 today and now my ethernet bakchaul is back to crashing my whole network. I upgraded through the prompt in the web gui. Before today the network had been very stable and reliable with one RBS satellite connected wirelessly and one via ethernet. I have currently tried powering the system down. Turning on the Orbi RTR *5 mins*, turn on 1st satellite *5 mins*, turn on 2nd satellite w/o ethernet connection established *5mins*. At this point the network functions and is stable. after 5-10 mins, I establish the ethernet connection to the one satellite and the network crashes. All cables are newer and tested. System had been stable in this exact config for the last few months once they worked out the Ethernet backhaul issues.

         

        Thanks.